Angular Cheilitis is something most people aren’t aware of until they begin to suffer the condition.  But this much is certain, once a person has suffered through the painful and embarrassing sores associated with this infection, he or she will not soon forget.

Angular Cheilitis, also known as Cheilitis or Angular Stomatitis, is a rheumatoid condition that affects the lips and mouth.  It manifests itself by sores on the lips, which over time can form into crusts and eventually ulcerations.  These sores are not just painful, but also highly embarrassing.  There is not one person that wants to expose these crusty formations and sores that spread all around the mouth to the rest of the world.

Common Causes

Bacteria and fungi are the most common causes of Angular Cheilitis.  The condition is further worsened by saliva that accumulates around the corners of the mouth.  Any gender, age, or overall state of health are susceptible to this condition.  People that wear dentures are particularly prone to contacting this infection.  Fungi and bacteria can easily colonize and spread in any number of locations in dentures.  For this reason, any denture wearer is strongly advised to regularly clean his or her dentures with a potent cleaning solution that effectively kills all the bacteria.

Other factors also increase the likelihood of developing this condition.  Certain procedures and inherent conditions, such as radiation treatment and diabetes mellitus, can weaken the body’s immune system, which in turn makes contracting Angular Cheilitis more likely.  Additionally, foods, toothpastes, allergies to certain cosmetics, some skin conditions, and exposure to the cold or sun can also contribute to the onset of this condition.

Finally, people with iron, Vitamin B, or folate deficiencies also develop Angular Cheilitis infections much more frequently than the rest of the population.

Detecting Angular Cheilitis

Fortunately, Angular Cheilitis can be easily cleared within a couple of days if the proper treatment is administered.  Detection is the only problem.  Because the condition develops around the corners of the mouth, many people mistake it for a common cold sore.  If left untreated because of this, the condition can spread across the lips and mouth.

Both cold sores and Angular Cheilitis display splitting around the corners of the mouth and redness, which feel tender to the touch.  But, whereas cold sores will naturally go away within a short period of time, Angular Cheilitis will not clear so easily.  Rather, the condition will spread if left untreated.

Prevention

While preventing Angular Cheilitis can be hard, there are certain things you can do that will help to prevent its onset.  The first thing you can do is to try and avoid the practice of licking your lips.  The saliva that accumulates along the corners of the mouth is an ideal breeding ground for another infection to develop.  You can also use a moisturizing lip balm that also contains UV protection to prevent your lips from becoming dried and cracked.  Dry and cracked lips leave the skin open for fungi and bacteria to enter the bloodstream.  Lastly, if you know that you have Vitamin B, folate, or iron deficiencies, eat foods that contain these minerals and take supplements.